Chapter 434 - Withstand a Sword Strike from This Old Man! (1/2)

Chapter 434: Withstand a Sword Strike from This Old Man!

After coming out of the black lightning realm, they were now at the Golden Lightning Heavenly Dwelling. Here, Hong Yi gave Ning Fan a pouch.

That pouch was a storage pouch which was rather high-grade. It was loved by many high-levelled female cultivators. Inside that pouch was a number of golden lightning bamboo leaves.

She let Ning Fan erase all of the spirit sense marks on the bamboo leaves without stopping him. She understood the reason why Ning Fan did that and that was to prevent her from destroying those leaves.

Compared to Hong Yi, Ning Fan was much more cautious.

He only gave seven pieces of dark golden bamboo leaves to Hong Yi. Giving her seven pieces of bamboo leaves was their previous agreement.

Based on their newest agreement, he had to give Hong Yi a total of twelve pieces of bamboo leaves. Ning Fan said that he would give her the remaining five pieces after obtaining the one hundred thousand years old spiritual medicines.

Hong Yi’s blood-red eyes remained calm. She did not find anything wrong with Ning Fan’s actions.

When it comes to one’s conduct in society, there is nothing wrong in asking for terms that are beneficial to yourself beforehand and exercising a good deal of courtesy later.

If Ning Fan cheats her, she would naturally make him pay.

If Ning Fan fulfills his promise, she would also fulfill hers as well and trade with him normally by giving him the one hundred thousand years old spiritual medicines and ordering the Zhou Clan to become his backer in the internal sea.

Hong Yi was someone who would never take advantage of others and was one who would definitely not make a decision that would bring a loss to her. This characteristic of hers was rather similar to Ning Fan.

“Miss Hong Yi has kept your promise and has given me the golden lightning bamboo leaves as promised. I really admire you for having done this.”

Ning Fan kept the golden lightning bamboo leaves and thanked her with his fists cupped. With these bamboo leaves, Yue Lingkong’s injuries would no longer be a problem.

“Humph. Do you really think I will go against the Great Oath of Heart Devil just for some golden lightning bamboo leaves?”

Hong Yi gave Ning Fan a cold stare. As soon as she recalled that Ning Fan had compelled her to make the Great Oath of Heart Devil, she began to feel a little displeased.

“Hehe. Miss Hong Yi must be joking… Hmm? Your complexion looks a little pale. Are you feeling unwell?”

Ning Fan diverted the topic of their conversation to avoid provoking Hong Yi.

Only after leaving the Black Lightning Realm did Ning Fan have the mood to carefully observe Hong Yi. Hence, he only noticed that her complexion was a little pale and she seemed to be feeling weak.

Ten days ago, Hong Yi was certainly not in such a condition.

“I am currently in the state of my primordial spirit. The reason why my complexion will look this pale is because my primordial spirit is currently weak. It isn’t a big deal. Humph! You are the first man who dared to say that my complexion is pale. However, seeing that you are still useful to me, I will turn a blind eye on your mistake in saying those impolite words!”

Hong Yi knitted her brows. Even though she did not care whether her face was beautiful or ugly, she was still somewhat displeased when Ning Fan said that her complexion was pale.

Besides, the reason why she became like this was because of him.

According to their original plan, Hong Yi could at most stay in the Black Lightning Realm for seven days.

After seven days, whether she successfully obtains the dark golden bamboo leaves or not, she would have to return to the outside world and rendezvous with the third elder and the others.

She had to consume a certain amount of primordial spirit nourishing pills to strengthen her primordial spirit. Otherwise, her current state would become extremely weak and injured.

Ning Fan had spent ten days in the cloud realm of the upper level. Within ten days, Hong Yi had been guarding the teleportation formation on the lower level to prevent lightning beasts from destroying the formation and trapping Ning Fan forever on the upper level.

Therefore, Hong Yi did not leave the Black Lightning Realm according to schedule. Thus, her primordial spirit naturally showed signs of weakening.

She did not tell Ning Fan all of these because she did not think there was a need for him to know.

Ning Fan felt rather speechless. He was just trying to show some concern about Hong Yi’s complexion. He did not have the intention at all to humiliate Hong Yi by saying her complexion was pale. The only explanation as to why she would feel displeased was because her temperament was too erratic.

Even though Hong Yi did not look well, her appearance was saying otherwise.

Her hair was black like ink. Her skin was as white as snow. Her eyes were red like rubies and her eyebrows were thick and long and slightly curled upwards at their ends. Her lips sparkled with moisture. And she had these facial features that made her a peerless beauty.

She shared an eighty percent resemblance to Ning Honghong in Ning Fan’s memories. However, she had an additional hint of mature beauty and haughtiness.

Her bright red dress cascaded to the ground like a red lotus with raging flames. The hem of her dress was adorned with several small diamonds that gave her a touch of elegance and attractiveness.

Secretly, Ning Fan was observing Hong Yi’s appearance. Inwardly, he gradually felt something was wrong.

What especially got his attention was the three blood-red lightning stars on Hong Yi’s glabella. Only two-thirds of the third lightning star was condensed while the remaining one-third was illusory.

Is that the Tai Su Lightning Star…?

In the past, Ning Fan could not see the profoundness and mysteries of this lightning star. Today, however, Ning Fan was able to get some clues after condensing the complete Tai Su Lightning Star.

“Only two-thirds of this woman’s lightning star took form. It’s the same as my earlier guess.”

“Are you done?”

A corner of Hong Yi’s mouth curled upwards to form a cold smile. To her, Nin Fan was extremely bold since he even dared to stare at her appearance just like that.

According to her temper, she would certainly kill whoever dares to look at her directly to vent out her anger.

“…I’m sorry.”

Ning Fan shifted his gaze away. He could feel that Hong Yi really abhorred men.

Besides, this woman was the daughter of the lightning sovereign. He did not plan to have any kind of relationship with her.

“I have made a promise with the third elder that I will only enter the Black Lightning Realm for seven days. It has already been three days beyond that today. I’m afraid the third elder has already brought his men to stand guard in the bamboo forest. They will probably be alerted by your presence when they see you walk with me. However, since you are still useful to me, you can be rest assured that no one in the internal sea will dare to lay a finger on you under my protection! Follow closely behind me!”

Hong Yi’s tone of voice suddenly sounded domineering. It gave Ning Fan an illusion that the current Hong Yi had a similar aura to Yun Tianjue.

After activating the exit of the Golden Lightning Heavenly Dwelling, Hong Yi and Ning Fan walked out shoulder to shoulder. Just as they got out to the outside world, Ning Fan immediately realized that there were four extremely strong experts guarding the bamboo forest.

Each of these four individuals were Void Refinement Realm old monsters who had stayed hidden from the real world in the internal sea!

Three of them were at the Void Glimpse Stage while the other one was at the Void Inquiry Stage!

That Void Glimpse Stage old monster wore a set of hemp robes. His hair was grey and his white beard looked like a halberd. His eyes were sharp and ferocious like raging flames. He carried an ancient, massive sword box on his back. His aura force was also extremely vigorous. It was not even a trace weaker than that of King Ying Long!

As soon as these four individuals saw Hong Yi’s arrival, they heaved a sigh of relief.

However, when they saw Ning Fan who was walking beside Hong Yi, one of the old monsters was instantly filled with rage.

“It’s you, Zhou Ming! I didn’t expect for you to actually return to the island after leaving. That day, you agreed to leave this Lightning Bamboo Island but it turns out it was all just a trick! You are blatantly courting death!”

“Even if you are a revered elder of the Rain Palace and you have Yun Tianjue’s protection, you disrespected the Zhou Clan of the internal sea. Today, this old man is going to have a taste of your techniques. I want to see what kind of strength you have that gave you the audacity to mess with our Zhou Clan!”

“My Lord, this young man is bold and reckless. He intruded the Golden Lightning Heavenly Dwelling and tried to harm you. He should be executed right away!”

Three Void Glimpse Stage experts yelled in rage. Each of the old monsters stared angrily at Ning Fan as if flames would blaze out from their eyes.

Only that old man who was carrying a sword acted differently. Even though his personality was unyielding and strong, his insight was rather deep.

He could faintly tell that Hong Yi did not harbor any hostility towards Ning Fan judging from her attitude as the both of them stood together side by side.

He raised one of his hands to stop the three Void Glimpse Stage old monsters from yelling. He gently cupped his fists and said to Hong Yi.

“My Lord, may I be bold to ask why you would be with this person in your journey? Why did you delay your departure from the Black Lightning Realm for three days? Were there some changes?”

The old man’s questions were rather euphemistic. If there were really some changes in the Black Lightning Realm, Ning Fan would very likely be the one who was responsible for it. If that was the case, he would kill Ning Fan with his own hands after asking him the reasons behind his actions.

“Don’t worry, Third Elder. As the dignified daughter of the lightning sovereign, why would I be troubled by a lowly Divine Transformation Realm junior? Moreover, it’s because of his help in my trip to the Black Lightning Realm that I managed to obtain enough bamboo leaves. Even though it was slightly later than the agreed time, the bamboo leaves that I obtained are beyond my expectations. Now, everything can proceed accordingly.” Hong Yi coldly explained.

“The daughter of the lightning sovereign?” A Void Glimpse Stage old monster asked doubtfully but he hurriedly kept his mouth shut after the old man carrying the sword glared at him.

“My Lo… Mistress, it’s indeed an extremely joyful matter that you were able to gather enough bamboo leaves. Since Fellow Daoist Zhou has contributed his help, he can’t be considered as an enemy to us anymore. This place isn’t the right place for conversations. Mistress, please move to the Thunder Court Pavilion! Fellow Daoist Zhou, come with us!”

The old man sounded extremely courteous to Hong Yi but the way he spoke to Ning Fan was rather authoritative as if he wasn’t allowing the latter to refuse.

After hearing that Ning Fan was an ally rather than an enemy, the other three Void Glimpse Stage old experts also concealed their killing intent. Even so, their expressions were still filled with vigilance.

Ning Fan also did not say anything. He did not give an explanation. Since Hong Yi had explained for him, he naturally did not need to say anything. All he needed to do was just to follow behind Hong Yi.

He shifted his gaze to the three Void Glimpse Stage old monsters as if he had something in his mind. He had never heard of these three Void Glimpse Stage old monsters before in the Endless Sea. Presumably, they were the hidden experts of the Zhou Clan.

If Ning Fan were to face them before entering the Bamboo Lightning Island, Ning Fan would be afraid of them. However, after the trip to the Black Lightning Realm, his combat power had sharply increased. There were already tens of Void Glimpse Stage old monsters who had died in his hands. Moreover, these three Void Glimpse Stage experts were lightning cultivators of the Zhou Clan. Hence, he did not need to put them in his eyes.

However, that old man carrying a sword was different. He gave Ning Fan an extremely strong sense of danger.

The Zhou Clan was famous for their lightning cultivators. However, even though that elderly man was an expert of the Zhou Clan, he was not a lightning cultivator but a sword cultivator instead. Therefore, Ning Fan’s Tai Su Lightning Star would have no effect on him.

The combat power of this old man was not inferior to that of King Ying Long. Without the help of the lightning star, if Ning Fan fought him, he would be a much more difficult opponent to deal with than King Ying Long.

The devil qi on Ning Fan’s primordial spirit had yet to vanish and he currently could not go into the demonized state. Yet, he still might not necessarily be able to defeat this old man even if he does go into that state.

In terms of strength, Ning Fan was not as strong as the old man. However, in terms of trump cards, Ning Fan had a stored attack of the Stele of Sun and Moon and the concealment of the Heaven Deceiving Cloak. Thus, he was not terrified of him.

According to what Hong Yi called him, this old man should be the third elder of the Zhou Clan.

A series of memories flashed within his mind. Ning Fan vaguely recalled that when he killed Revered Flame in the past, he had once heard of the third elder of the Zhou Clan from the two Void Refinement Realm palace lords of the Rain Palace.

“The third elder of the Zhou Clan, Zhou Chen, is a Void Inquiry Stage expert. Rumor has it that he is just a hair’s breadth away from attaining the Void Pierce Stage. He has a determined and unyielding personality and he kills people like cutting straws… If I am not wrong, this old man is that Zhou Chen. Zhou Chen is a servant of Lightning Sovereign Bu Zhou, just like the other old monsters in the Zhou Clan. They only recognize and address the lightning sovereign as ‘My Lord’. However, he addressed Hong Yi as ‘My Lord’ earlier but corrected it after… After hearing for the first time that Hong Yi is the daughter of the lightning sovereign, that Void Glimpse Stage expert seemed to be a little shocked as well… Could it be that there is something wrong with Hong Yi’s identity? Could it be that she isn’t the daughter of the lightning sovereign but the lightning sovereign himself instead?!”

Ning Fan’s eyes turned slightly stern. If his guess is correct, those parts which he could not figure out in the past would make sense.